Miami Marlins Sign Former Pirates Closer

The Miami Marlins have signed right-handed pitcher Richard Rodríguez to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training.

The 32-year-old former Pittsburgh Pirates closer has had an eventful past few years, but provides the Marlins with some much-needed depth in their injury-plagued relief group.

Rodríguez last appeared in the majors in 2021 with the Atlanta Braves and Pirates. He spent the 2022 season in the New York Yankees' minor league system after serving an 80-game PED suspension earlier in the year.

New Marlins reliever Richard Rodriguez (minor league deal)

Career 3.28 ERA and 4.05 FIP with 19 SV in 228.0 IP

Last pitched in majors in 2021 pic.twitter.com/4wxvyIZcuk

— Fish Stripes (@fishstripes) February 28, 2023

Across 23.1 innings at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Rodríguez posted a 3.86 ERA and 24 strikeouts.

In 2018, Rodríguez posted a 2.47 ERA over 69 1/3 innings with the Pirates and followed it up in 2020 with a 36.6% strikeout rate and 2.70 ERA. The Marlins will hope he can regain that form and contribute to their bullpen in the upcoming season.

Over his five-year career, the thirty-two-year-old holds a strong 3.28 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, with 230 strikeouts across 228 innings of work. Photo Credit:  Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports